THE United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV) and the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) together with the Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) will next week launch a state-wide roadshow to highlight the importance of ratifying the China- Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA).

The farmer focused forums will offer farmers the opportunity to hear the benefits the ChAFTA will deliver and how they can help ensure the ChAFTA is ratified in this calendar year.

“The ChAFTA is a once in a generation opportunity to grow Australian agriculture, particularly dairy, and boost our regional economies. If our Federal Parliament fails to get this ratified before the end of 2015, Australian agriculture and businesses will suffer,” UDV spokesperson, Vin Delahunty said.

“Right now the ChAFTA is under threat - we are ready to tell Victoria the real facts. This landmark deal will impact all of regional Victoria. The long-term prosperity of dairy and regional communities relies on free access to this major international market.

“I congratulate the Victorian Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford and Premier Daniel Andrews for realising the importance of this FTA and being just two of many senior Labor figures who have publicly backed the ChAFTA.This leadership is crucial for Australian agriculture to thrive,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Implementing the ChAFTA will provide Australian businesses unprecedented access to the world’s second largest market encompassing over 1.3 billion consumers.”

“It will mean $25 billion in trade to China by 2020. This means more job opportunities for Australians and more money in the pockets of Australian families.”

ADF President, Noel Campbell said the regional forums would encourage further grassroots support for ratifying the deal this year.

“This trade agreement has taken 10 years to negotiate and it needs to be passed through Parliament so farm businesses can take advantage of two tariff cuts in quick succession - once when ratified and again on 1 January 2016,” Mr Campbell said.

“China is the world’s largest dairy import market. It is time for our farming community to come together and stand up to let Parliament know exactly what this means to our sector.”
The ChAFTA is a game changer. To delay the China trade deal means a lost opportunity – for jobs, farmers and regional towns.